Other School Board Action Items

There were no visitors speaking at tonight's meeting.

As to action items:
1. First reading of policy advisories 67-GCCB and 68-GCCD
Since these weren't read to the public, I don't know what they said. No copies were available at the meeting other than those that the board received. The discussion seemed to indicate that these were the result of new laws and dealt with military leave, domestic abuse leave and subpoena leave. No motion was made regarding this action item.
2. Approve application for 100 KW PV Solar Energy Grant
Board member Doug Porch asked Mike Richline (Transportation Director and author of the grant application) where the solar panels would go and was told that they would be mounted on poles in the niches on the front of the High School. Since the high school roof is more than 5 years old, the grant will not allow the panels to be roof-mounted. Mike said the solar panels would be protected with some kind of fencing. He said there would be a total of 30-40 mounted tracking poles with 12-16 panels per pole. (By my estimation, this is approximately 7,800 sq. feet of solar panels.) Based upon current electricity rates, the school estimates that these panels would save the school $26,000-$36,000 per year. There was also some discussion as to whether or not additional insurance would be required to cover these panels and whether or not the grant would provide for the cost of this insurance. These questions remain outstanding. The board voted unanimously to approve the application for the grant.
3. Donations
The FFA received a $2500 donation from the South Central Mountain RCD Council to help fund supplies. Mr. Booky gave a presentation to the board showing some of the artwork that his students have been doing in their efforts to raise money to fund the supplies for the agriculture, welding and shop classes. He spoke of many projects that his students are doing, including making "no hunting" and "no trespassing" signs out of the skins of old hot water heaters, to signs for the fire department, to rustic benches from the old Solano trestle. I didn't get all of the names of all of the people who have offered to help, but suffice to say that Mr. Booky is actively soliciting help for his programs! The board voted to accept the donation.
4. Executive Session, Appointment of New Board Member, Swearing in of New Board Member
See separate post below.